A new skateboard park in Drumheller is moving closer to becoming a reality.
At the July 29 meeting of Town Council, a delegation from the Drumheller Association of Skateboard Enthusiasts (DASE) outlined their plans and requested the Town grant them the use of the land north of the fountain and west of the Aquaplex.
In total, the piece of land, a grassy area where both tourists and locals congregate for picnics and recreation, amounts to roughly 10,000 square feet.
During the next meeting of Town Council, scheduled for August 26, Council will decide the fate of the skatepark, though in the past, the Town has supported the choice of location.
“In principle, the Town has already given approval for that site with our in-kind work, but for a formal request for decision we have some more work to do before it can be presented to Council. What we ask is to work through administration and bring back a formal document. Then we can make a decision,” said Mayor Terry Yemen.
During the meeting concerns were raised about how crowded the Spray Park area currently is and a skatepark would exacerbate the situation. DASE feels it won’t be a problem.
“We’ve stood on the site a number of times throughout the day... at this point, we feel we can interface all the different areas nicely. There are definitely concerns. When we put things to the public we want to make sure we are progressing,” said Brooke Christensen, president of DASE.
Brooke Christensen, right, president of the Drumheller Association of Skateboard Enthusiasts, and Trevor Morgan, of New Line Skateparks, present their plans to build a new skatepark in Drumheller. DASE is hoping to build the skatepark north of the fountain and west of the Aquaplex.
The goal is to build a concrete park that compliments the surrounding area and terrain. To do that, DASE has retained New Line Skateparks to design the park. New Line has built roughly 25 parks throughout Canada, the closest being Airdrie.
“We want to make each site unique to the community. From our perspective, it is a suitable site. At the top of the list (of requirements) you want to have visibility and accessibility, which this site certainly provides,” said Trevor Morgan, representing New Line Skateparks.
So far, DASE has raised $295,000, out of a goal of $500,000 for construction. Earlier this year, DASE, in conjunction with the Town of Drumheller, were unsuccessful in two grant applicaions. They have reapplied and are hoping to receive $125,000 in grants.
DASE feels building a skatepark is an essential piece in Drumheller’s recreation offerings.
“Our current lack of facilities in town for youth to participate in action sports like this is not a good thing. It leads to people skateboarding in not the best places, like in front of businesses, churches, or community buildings,” said Christensen. “We’re a committed group of skateboarders...we’ve come together to try to promote the sport of skateboarding. It’s not just skateboarding, skateparks are open to all sorts of other sports, like rollerblades and BMX.”
DASE estimates there are between 200 and 300 residents who skateboard, rollerblade, or BMX regularly and more would take up the hobbies should a proper facility be built.
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